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Review: LEGO Overwatch Hanzo Vs Genji (75971)

The next set that I will be reviewing features the iconic scene between Hanzo and Genji where the two brothers confront each other at their family shrine.

While the set may look a bit basic, it actually hides a couple of play features as well as having two of the most detailed minifigure designs of the series.

Unboxing

This is a small-mid size box which requires one to puncture the two perforated tabs at the back to open it. I generally prefer the sticker seals as it doesn’t damage the packaging while unboxing.

The 197 elements is distributed between four unnumbered bags which is still quite manageable as the piece count is less than 200 elements.

Numbered bags have made it easier to construct LEGO sets with larger piece counts over the years but I remember the days when building a large scale LEGO set was akin to piecing together a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle.

Other contents of the box are the instruction booklet and a sticker sheet that contains only two stickers which I cannot complain…..too much.

Build Experience

It is quite possible to finish this under 20 minutes as it is quite a simple studs-up build. There isn’t any intermediate or advance techniques that might give pause to a novice builder.

What I did notice is that with the advent of new parts and elements allows for a more streamlined build process that doesn’t require too much LEGO trickery to accomplish the desired design.

I found building the banister at the top particularly satisfying as it is able to recreate the ornate curves of the original design without making it too complicated for the builder follow.

Parts & Pieces

There are some new elements that I encountered here for the first time (to my knowledge) and a couple of nice printed 2×2 round tiles with dragon motifs.

Hanzo’s Blue bow + arrow makes an appearance here for the first time I believe. Previously the bow + arrows were only available in reddish brown, pearl gold and green.

The shrine’s urns uses an interesting element that I first mistook for truncated Lego Cone – 85975 (the ones used for fez hats) but it turns out they are actually unprinted elements of BB-9’s headpiece.

There are two sets of printed 2×2 round tiles with a green dragon motif and another one in blue. They represent the corresponding dragons for Genji (Green) and Hanzo (Blue) which is also reflected in the colour of their weapons of choice.

The set also includes two 1×1 round printed tiles with the Overwatch logo on it. One is used for the build itself and the other is a spare just in case you lose it.

Minifigures

There are three minifigures included in this set which feature Genji, Hanzo and an unnamed Shimida Henchman.

He also gets a specially moulded helmet which hides a plain light bluish grey headpiece as Genji’s face has never been revealed before.

He also gets one of the new ‘ribbon tails’ accessory that attaches to the back of his helmet.

Hanzo sports an asymmetrical torso design as he doesn’t wear half his robe so that he has better aim with his master hand.

My only gripe is that his online persona is decked out with tattoos but of course, LEGO isn’t allowed to depict that aspect of his character.

It is still a lovely minifigure with the gorgeous torso design and for the first time, based solely on my limited knowledge, a dark blue bow and arrow. Hanzo also gets a newly sculpted hair piece and a pearl gold ribbon tail accessory.

The Shimida Clan henchman has a manic expression plastered over it’s head piece and he wears a Mini Rock wig hairpiece that was first seen in the LEGO Ideas Ghostbusters Ecto-1 set.

Design

The recreation of the Shimada shrine in that scale is quite spot on with the pillars framing the calligraphy in the middle.

Here is a little bit of trivia, the Japanese characters are 竜頭蛇尾 (ryuutoudabi) which literally mean “dragon head, snake tail” but when used in spoken context, it means “anti climax” which is a little bit puzzling as why would an infamous ninja clan have that as their motto.

The shrine is flanked by two ‘corridors’ with disc shooters beneath the floorboards. I don’t recall there to be any projectile weapons in the game but it is still a nice touch to add a bit of playability.

I did like the pedestal where the Hanzo’s sword is kept and that the LEGO designer used a LEGO antenna as the sword’s sheath.

Value

The recommended retail price for this set here is SGD$39.90 and I think that is pretty decent. As I mentioned before that this is an IP (intellectual property) set and they usually tend to be more expensive than themes like City, Ninjago and Friends as royalties have to be paid on top of production costs.

The price per piece works out to be 20¢ and it goes even lower (16¢) if you are able to get it during the 20% discount periods.

As with the previous LEGO Overwatch review, this set is truly for the minifigures. They are beautifully designed and feature Overwatch’s fan favourites.

Even if you buy these separately on the secondary market, it would cost you easily SGD$15 each so picking up this set would definitely be more worth it.

Conclusion

A good introductory set that gives us a pair of ultra popular LEGO Overwatch characters at a very well adjusted price point that Overwatch fans can get into.

Pros

Minifigure and set design is spot on

Exclusive minifigures of Genji and Hanzo

Price point is very competitive

Printed 2×2 round tiles with dragon motif

Cons

Sticker for the 2×2 round tile for the Shimada crest

A sincere thank you to LEGO AFOL Relations & Programs (ARP) team and LEGO Ideas for sending me this set to review. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed in this review do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the LEGO Group. Review sets sent in does not guarantee a positive review.